Chapter 8
“You and Tray really look great together. I’m happy that you’re giving him a chance. I haven’t seen him this way about a woman in a long time. Technically, he was a teenager and so was the girl he liked. So I have never seen him like this with a woman.”
I smiled at Mi’Junae as she stalled. We cleaned the kitchen once we finished eating. She gave me time with Deontray, and then I made my way to the bedroom to talk. I would be sleeping in here with her tonight. I’d gotten glimpses of Tray’s erection at the table. There was no way I would be able to ignore that in the privacy of a bedroom.
I’d been celibate for far too long for that sort of temptation, especially since he was my man now. I already knew my mama and daddy would flip out. It had been a while since I’d even entertained the thought of a boyfriend. The princesses were going to lose their damn minds as well. My first boyfriend in years and I chose for that to be with a reformed ho. I sure knew how to pick ’em.
“Thank you, Mi.”
She glanced at me then said, “I wasn’t asleep earlier. Whenever I close my eyes, I see some of the events of the past day and a half. I can’t seem to get that shit out of my head.”
Tears easily fell down her cheeks. I lay in bed next to her and turned on my side to wipe her tears. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
“Me too. My grandmother used to say all the time that a hard head makes a soft behind. She didn’t lie. For the past six months, Tray had been begging me to leave that nigga alone. Whenever we were in the same city, we would hook up, and within a couple to a few hours, I would be back with Tray, listening to him fuss about how I was letting him use me.”
She slowly shook her head. “I would throw his fuckboy tendencies in his face to get him off my case. He was only looking out for me, but I wouldn’t listen. Look where that shit got me. Drugged, raped, and traumatized.”
My heart was ailing for her. “Mi, you had no idea that something like this would happen.”
“I still should have been more cautious, especially when he took me to that party. I didn’t know any of the people there. Instead, I smoked a joint that he gave me and fucked my life up.”
“You didn’t fuck your life up, Mi.”
She shook her head again. I decided to ask the questions Deontray didn’t know the answers to earlier. “Did the hospital offer you the morning after pill?”
“Yes. What happened on the video was more than twenty-four hours ago though, and I’m not on birth control. What if I get pregnant?”
“I think the pill is effective for more than a day despite its name. Just in case, we will pray that you aren’t, but if you are, we will do what you feel is best. Did you press charges?”
“They said they would, whether I wanted to or not. As soon as FAAFO is back in the country, they will arrest him.”
“Do you remember who the other guy was?”
“His manager. I don’t remember his name though.”
“His manager was in on it?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, that’s crazy as hell. A manager is supposed to look out for you and your career, not engage in bullshit with you.”
I was at a loss for words. This shit was crazy as hell. I grabbed Mi’s hand and just held it in mine, trying to offer her some consolation. I hated that she hadn’t been able to sleep. “Why were you in this room so long earlier if you weren’t asleep?”
“I wanted to give you and Tray time to yourselves. He’s been taking care of me for the past five and a half years. He deserves happiness. You’re that for him. Plus, I knew he would fill you in on what was going on. The police are hoping the DNA they found inside of me will pop. If they are both in the system, it should. They live in LA.”
“Yeah. They won’t be able to deny fluids. Your blood work will prove that you were under the influence and not in the frame of mind to be able to make decisions like that. Then there’s the video to prove what happened.”
“Did you see it?”
“Only about fifteen seconds of it. I saw that it was nearly five minutes long.”
“I watched it. I passed completely out during the act. I didn’t remember that. It looked like I wanted it. My facial expression looked satiated.”
“No, baby. You looked high. You didn’t seem to be coherent at all. Any judge in his right mind will see that.”
She scooted over and laid her head on my shoulder. We were only five years apart, but it seemed I was so much older than her. It made me grateful that I had parents who were very present in my life. I had a father who gave a damn and made sure his daughter was hip on all the game these thunder cats spit… his words, not mine. The man had an extremely old soul. He acted like he was seventy but was barely fifty. Regardless, I took his words to heart and made sure I applied them when needed.
Mi didn’t have that. Her father left the scene when she was only ten years old. At least that was when he physically left. Tray had said that he was too busy arguing with their mother for the last two years of their marriage than to be worried about them. So technically, Mi lost her daddy when she was only eight years old. To lose her mom at fourteen had to be devastating.
When I heard her yawn, I lifted myself, causing her to sit up as well. I got in a comfortable position and extended my arms to her. She lay back on me, and I wrapped my arms around her and began humming. I hummed until I heard a light snore come from her. I didn’t stop though. I kept right on humming until I’d put myself to sleep too.
The soft kisses on my forehead and cheek caused me to smile in my sleep. “Baby, y’all wake up. It’s six o’clock.”
My eyelids fluttered as I let his words swirl around in my head. My eyes popped open when I realized what time he said it was. “Y’all missed your flight!”
“No, we didn’t. We’re leaving with you. I need more time with you. We’ll get a hotel room when we get there. We could probably use the quietness there.”
I smiled big as I sat up in the bed. “Wow. I’m glad.”
“Yeah. We’re only gonna stay a couple of days. I’ve already arranged a private flight to get us home. We’ll meet you in Houston for your show.”
“Okay. Y’all can stay with me out there. I have a house in Houston.”
He smiled and extended his hand to help me from the bed. The minute I stood, Mi’Junae woke up. As far as I knew, she’d slept all night. I hugged him around his waist then went to my duffel bag to get my toothbrush and shower gel. Having them fly back with me meant everything to me. I really wanted to spend more time with him too.
There was no way I would press him about his time. His sister needed him, and I felt like I was distracting him. I didn’t feel that way until I got here. Had I thought about that before I left, I wouldn’t have come. However, Mi’Junae seemed to take a liking to me, and I liked her too. She was like the little sister I always wanted growing up. After my brother, Jayden, was born, my parents said I would just have to settle for him, because they weren’t getting pregnant again.
I quickly showered and handled my other items of hygiene, then left the bathroom in my panties and bra to find Deontray was still in the bedroom, consoling Mi. I could have crawled under a fucking rock to avoid his gaze and how it set my body on fire. They were completely quiet in here, so I had no inclination that he could have possibly still been in the room. Turning around, I cringed as I went back into the bathroom, realizing I was wearing a thong, and my ass was on full display.
My face was hot as hell, so I knew it was red. My light complexion guaranteed that. I should have backed out of there. I lowered the lid on the toilet and sat there with my face in my hands. God bless it! I stood up and decided to brush my hair into a ponytail. Embarrassment had flooded my entire being, and now, being around him would be somewhat awkward.
While I knew that he would eventually see me naked, it would be when I was ready and during the height of passion. Shit! I could hear my phone chiming repeatedly in the bedroom, so I opened the door and peeked out of it to see they were both gone. I stepped out and quickly put on my leggings before either of them came back.
I grabbed my phone to see a few text messages from Tiana and Mulan and one from my mama. They’d probably been awake since they were two hours ahead of us right now. I opened my mama’s text to see a simple message. Good morning, baby. Have a safe flight. See you when you get here.
I smiled slightly then responded. Good morning, Mama. Umm… Deontray and his sister are flying back with me. They’ll be staying at a hotel, but I wanted to make you aware. I just found out this morning when I woke up.
I saw the bubbles appear, letting me know that she was responding. When her message came through, there were wide-eyed emojis and the emoji with the hands over the mouth. I chuckled when I saw it. Then her message came through. I know you don’t eat all the food that Louisiana is famous for because you’re weird, but I’m going to cook a feast that’s sure to offer their souls comfort.
I rolled my eyes. She always teased me for not liking étouffée, gumbo, or boudin. I just wasn’t really into any of the Cajun dishes. I ate seafood, but that was about it. She was probably taking gator out of the freezer and inviting family. I slowly shook my head at the thought.
Thanks, Mama… I guess. Don’t invite too many people. I don’t want them to be overwhelmed.
Don’t worry. I’m only gonna invite the princesses. I know their privacy is important, especially after what happened. See y’all soon!
I set my phone on the nightstand and pulled my T-shirt over my head. Just as I did, there was a knock at the door. I remained quiet for a moment, then heard, “Baby, can I come in?”
My eyes closed involuntarily, and I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Yes,” I finally got out.
When the door opened, Deontray smiled. He stepped inside, leaving the door open. I was so hot I felt like I was about to start sweating. He came closer and extended his hand. “I’m sorry I was still in the room. Mi was having a mini panic attack, saying it felt like she was living a nightmare. I didn’t think to let you know that I was still in the room when I heard the shower turn off.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I should have peeked out first.”
“Why are you red, baby? You have no reason to be embarrassed. That body is pure fire. Damn!”
My face only got hotter. “It wasn’t intentional. I wasn’t ready for that.”
He pulled me to him as he licked his lips and held me in his arms. For a moment, I thought he was truly concerned until he said, “You want me to strip down to my drawers so you won’t feel alone in this? I mean, I have no problem with you seeing me that way.”
I pushed against him as he laughed. He pulled me back to him. “I’m sorry, Kamari, but it’s not that serious. Come here, baby.”
He went and sat on the bed and pulled me to his lap. I sat as I stared into his playful gaze. When I looked away, he said, “Nah, baby. Look at me.”
I slowly turned back to him as he asked, “Are you a virgin?”
“No,” I all but whispered. “But I’ve only been with one man, and that ended a couple of years ago.”
His eyebrows lifted slightly. “Damn, baby. I been referring to you as my angel, but you a real-life angel. Being able to save yourself that way is beautiful. I plan to be your last. I understand your apprehension now though. I wish we were all that way. Somewhere along the way, sex became a recreational pastime. No one, including me, truly sees it for what it was intended for anymore.”
Lightening the moment, I asked, “For having babies?”
He smiled and chuckled a bit. “You know what I meant. For two people who truly love each other… who want to do life with each other. Just imagine that you were wearing a swimsuit, and we were about to go to the beach. I promise not to make light of your feelings again. Okay?”
I nodded and gave him a small smile. “It’s okay. I’m behaving like a child.”
“No, you aren’t. You’re behaving like an innocent and pure adult. Seeing you that way should be reserved for someone you love. I get it, baby. For real.”
I kissed his lips as his hand rested at the small of my back. His understanding in this situation only made me heat up with desire to journey to the unknown. However, with the way I reacted to him seeing me almost naked, I knew I wasn’t ready. I almost couldn’t wait until I was.